Iran sends navy vessels near Yemen amid air strikes

Sana’a, Beirut: Iran dispatched a naval destroyer and another vessel on Wednesday to waters near Yemen as the United States quickened weapons supply to the Saudi-led coalition striking rebels there, underlining how foreign powers are deepening their involvement in the conflict.

Iran’s English-language state broadcaster Press TV quoted Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari as saying the ships would be part of an anti-piracy campaign “safeguarding naval routes for vessels in the region.”

The manoeuvre comes amid an intense Saudi-led Gulf Arab air campaign targeting the Yemeni rebels, known as Al Houthis. Critics say Iran backs Al Houthis, though both the Islamic republic and the rebels deny any direct military assistance.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister said on Wednesday that Yemeni factions should form a national unity government to resolve the crisis there and that Iran is working to help achieve that.

Morteza Sarmadi reiterated Iran’s call for an immediate halt to the two-week-old military campaign being led by Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at a news conference in Beirut, Sarmadi said Yemen could not be governed by one political faction alone.

“All influential and active political currents and factions” with popular backing should stand together “to form a government of national unity that can govern Yemeni affairs in the best way possible,” he said.

“We, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, are undertaking all good initiatives and efforts that help in reaching this political solution,” he said.

Sarmadi said Yemen had been the focus of discussions he had held in Algeria, Tunisia, Iraq and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, arrived in Muscat on Wednesday to discuss the Yemen issue with Yousuf Bin Alawi, Minster Responsible for Foreign Affairs, and other Omani officials.

Zarif affirmed that Iran is ready to work with Muscat to help resolving the crisis in Yemen. He added that all the countries are responsible for restoring the stability and peace to Yemen, according to the media reports.

Bin Alawi said he hoped for a short truce to allow the delivery of aid and food to Yemen.

Zarif headed to Pakistan after his Oman visit.

— with inputs from Fahad Al Mukrashi, Muscat Correspondent